Bicycle



(No Model.)

- A. A. CARTER.

BIGYGLEL- V N0..354,535. Patented Dec. 21, 18786.

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ANSON A. CARTER, OF NEWVARK, NEV JERSEY.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 354,535,6lated December21, 1886.

Application filed May 25, 1886.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Anson A. CARTER, a citizen of the United States,residingin Newark, Essex county, New Jersey, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Bicycle Goasting Foot-Rests, fully describedand represented in the following specification and the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of bicycleswherein the steering mechanism is actuated by a rod extending downtoward the ground before the drivingwheel, and in which the riders seatis too near the steering-handles to rest his legs thereon when ridingdownhill.

The so-called Star bicycle is a type of this class of machines, and hasheretofore been furnished with no means to comfortably support theriders feet when removed from the driving-pedals. The rider hastherefore been compelled to retain his posit-ion at such times byfolding his legs across the front of the steeringrod and bracing himselfupon his seat by the handlebar F with considerable muscular exertion ofhis arms. Having no support for his feet, a small obstacle in the roadsuffices to jar the machine and rider and throw him forward on thesaddle. As coasting or riding downhill by mere momentum is the highestpleasure of the cyclist, it is obviously very desirable to relieve therider from such muscular effort at a time when the machine is propelledwithout his aid. Such relief I afford by furnishing the steering-rodwith a foot-rest adapted to support the riders feet when removed fromthe pedals. Such foot-rest is preferably made adjustable upon the rod,to suit different riders, and is projected at each side of the rod, toafford a separate support for each foot. Where the steering-rod operatesinside a tubular casing, the combination of the foot-rest and the rod iseffected by securing the rest to the casing. The construction will beunderstood by reference to the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1represents a Star bicycle in perspective with my improvement applied tothe steering-rod. Fig. 2 represents the foot-rest in plan; Fig. 3, inside elevation; and Fig. 4 shows an interior View of the clamping-socketparted on line a: a: in Fig. 2.

Serial No. 203,188. (No model.)

A is the main driving-wheel; B, the frame of the bicycle; G, the pedals;D, the seat; E, the front steering-wheel; F, the steering-handle, and Gthe steeringrod connecting the steering wheel and handle.

The foot-rest is shown at a a secured upon the rod G by a clamp-socket,b. In Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive,.the clamp socket is shown split intohalves and united at one side by a hinge-joint, c, and at the other by abolt, (1. From each side of the socket one of the foot-rests a projectsat right angles with the rod G, and thus affords, in a natural locationnearly level with the pedals O,a support for each foot when the machineand rider are moving by acquired momentum. The construction of thesocket in halves greatly facilitates its application to and removal fromthe steering-rod, as well as its adjustment vertically, to suit theconvenience of the rider. Such adjustment may be effected by clampingthe foot-rest upon the rod in any other convenient manner.

In machines where the steering-rod operates within a hollow casing whichis rigidly fixed to-the frame of the machine the desired combination iseffected by clamping or otherwise securing the foot-rest upon suchcasing. I do not therefore limit myself to the construction herein shownand described, but consider the essential part of my improvement toconsist in the combination of the foot-rest with the steering-rod or itscasing, the support afforded to the riders feet being precisely the samein either case, and the modes of attachment being precise equivalents inrespect to one another for the purposes of my invention.

I am aware that a step or construction analogous to my foot-rest hasbeen combined with a bicycle-frame at such points as would assist therider to gain his seat; but the location of my foot-rest entirelyprecludes its use for such a purpose, and indicates very clearly theentirely different function which it possesses in my invention.

N'Vhat I claim herein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a bicycle having a steering-rod before the driving-wheel, thecombination, with the steering-rod or its casing,0f a foot-rest adaptedto support the feet of the rider.

2. In a bicycle having asteering-rod before the driving-wheel, thecombination, with the steering-rod or its casing, of an adjustablefootrest adapted to support the feet of the rider.

3. In a bicycle having a steering-rod arranged to carry a steering-Wheelbefore the driving-Wheel and having treadle-levers to actuate thedriving-wheel, the combination, with such steering-rod, of a foot-restprojecting at each side of thesteering-rod and adapted to support theriders feet when removed from the treadle-levers.

4. The combination, with the steering-rod G, or its casing, of thesocket I), having a footrest, a, projecting at each side, as and for thepurpose set forth.

Anson A. CARTER.

Witnesses:

THOS. S. CRANE, FREDK. A. CARTER.

